
I used to always wonder how some of the videographers I looked up to always got those hard-to-get, great shots. How is it they always seemed to be in the right place at the exact right time to get that great shot? With thousands of hours of shooting video and many great teachers along the way, I have found there isn’t always one answer or strategy, but I have found one technique that I have worked on for so long, it has become second nature. I call it anticipation.
When Peyton Manning lines up behind center and starts barking out signals, what is he doing? The answer is he is reading the defense. By looking at formations and movements, he is anticipating what the defense will be doing on the play. This gives him the chance to adjust his offense and put those players in the best position for success. Reading a scene can be much the same. Sometimes before capturing the shot you see, if you survey the scene a bit you may get the next great shot. Where is my subject? What is his or her next move and where do I need to be to capture it?
The better you get at this, the more you will be like Peyton and enjoy many successes. However, remember that even Peyton Manning gets it wrong sometimes (although rarely) and that’s okay. Get back behind center and read it again. It may take practice, but touchdowns will follow!



It has been an amazing spring for the Fireside Production team with several recent wins in highly-respected video production competitions. Judges in the 2013 international Ava Awards competition recognized two of our submissions for exceptional quality. This is the third consecutive year we’ve earned top honors in the Ava Awards.
There’s more… Fireside was honored with twin Telly Awards in this 34th Annual competition for outstanding achievement. Humana’s Mirage in the Desert video received the Bronze Telly in the documentary category.
From time to time, here at Fireside Production we get a request to shoot professional still shots while we are on a video shoot. The answer is always very simple… well, no. While there are some similarities between the two crafts, they are really completely different. This has been more evident as I have ventured into the new world of capturing video on DSLRs.
Hola! I am a proud new member of the Fireside Production team! My career began in the non-profit public relations sector. I had the opportunity to meet wonderful people who are making a difference to help others and are passionate about changing people’s lives. I found Fireside at a time when my curiosity for the broadcasting industry was evolving and my passion for video production was in full-swing. How lucky am I to be able to continue to work for a company that truly cares about the work it does – and simultaneously learn from the very best in this industry?!
Yes, it’s time again for me to write my blog. I reflected on some topics I blogged about in the past and remembered one on
I’m under 40. Yes, it’s true and just barely! I am so humbled and honored to join the Denver Business Journal’s 2013 Class of
Every editor has at one time or say, a hundred, had to fix a problem with the source video of a project. Whether it’s an off-color or a bad audio issue, a simple clip edit can add extra minutes – or even hours - to a project. Now even the best shoots are never perfect, but you can keep your editor happy by just concentrating a bit more in the field.